Net zero the next step for green building movement

To mark the inaugural Buildings Day, held as part of COP21 climate change negotiations in Paris, Australia’s green building authority has pledged to drive the industry towards ‘net zero’ new building.

According to the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) Chief Executive Officer Romilly Madew, a new label will be introduced in 2016 to recognise buildings that achieve ‘net zero’ impact in energy, carbon and water.

“This new label will also recognise buildings that go beyond net zero to make positive contributions to the environment, such as generating more renewable energy than is consumed,” Ms Madew says.

“Alongside this label, we will introduce an advanced curriculum to educate professionals on how to deliver net zero buildings, promote net zero as an achievable goal in our events, and create resources that can be used internationally to drive the uptake of net zero building worldwide.”

The GBCA will also continue collaborating with local, state and federal governments to develop policies and initiatives that lead to greener buildings, sustainable communities and productive cities.

“The Australian market is already leading the world in terms of sustainability in some sectors – and we have five years at the top of the GRESB table to prove it,” Ms Madew says.

“Our next challenge is to embrace a net zero philosophy. The GBCA’s vision is to recognise and reward projects that make a positive contribution to the environment,” Ms Madew concludes.